Yellow: Neither White Nor Black Enough

I am a Japanese immigrant. I sometimes feel lost in this society where race is all about black and white. I often feel that I am neither white nor black enough to contribute significantly to a diversity conversation, most of which seems to be about reconciliation and healing from the slavery. While growing up in Japan, I learned that we were yellow. I don’t understand why there is no yellow mentioned in this country even though there are histories of East Asian immigrants in the U.S. Also, it is frustrating that being an Asian does not seem to count as “minority” when it comes to higher education and jobs even though we are racial minority.
On another topic, while I would like my racial identity to be acknowledged and embraced, I would not like to be boxed into stereotypes. “I’m Japanese and I’m not Japanese”

Keep the conversation going - comment and discuss with your thoughts

Nathan White

it is frustrating that being an Asian does not seem to count as “minority” when it comes to higher education and jobs even though we are racial minority.

You want preferences for not being White even though your people earn more money than us? I think that makes you a traitor and you should be deported.

Coty

I think you need to quit spouting off your bigoted opinion on what you believe about race. I’m tired of seeing your racist comments on posts by people who want to improve the racial situation in America. You kind of miss the point of this project. See yourself out.

Dan

Do you seriously want to be part of this race war? Be happy most whites like Asians even if they don’t like blacks, and be happy most blacks hate whites too much too care about Asians.

Dude the blacks whine and b&&&& more than any other minority. That’s why they’re always mentioned. Because we never hear ‘Oh the Asians f***ing mobbed a mall to get 12 pairs of new shoes those insane f^^^s go crazy for, shooting eachother, and cutting a f^^^ing hole in the roof to get those shoes.’ Nor do we hear this ‘thousands of Asians raced to a government building to be the first to grab 100 housing vouchers, injuring eachother and being a nuisance all around.’ Nor do we hear about horrendous Asian gang crime. We don’t have Asian-run cities failing and falling apart. There are no Asians b^^^^ing that hurricanes don’t get Asian names. Asians don’t regularly have 15 kids they cant afford and expect the rest of America to pay for it in their self entitlement. Asians don’t call every white man they meet a racist. Asians don’t label Disney as racist. They don’t b**** every time a movie about historical Europe decides to be realistic and use white actors. Asians don’t blame every god damn problem they have on the white man.

Asians seem to be hard working and well adaptive to western culture. Why on earth would you want to be the more recognized minority? You would have to out due the blacks. And I don’t recommend it. If more people started doing that crap, I think White America would go insane and destroy the country, eliminate all non whites, and throw the world back into a more primitive world order.

Just be happy you’re not black.

SassyWhiteGirl

I lived in Green Bay, WI for one year. The threat on the news was the Asian gangs on the volleyball courts. There are places in the US where Asian gangs are a major threat.

Dan

Well sh#t, maybe Yuri will get their wish and we’ll all hear more on Yellows. God a tri-race war’s going to make my head hurt. I swear it’ll be the Islanders next.

JD

Where do you get your… statistics from Dan?

LadyApril

Did you see statistics there, JD?

JD

Words like “most” and “all” imply statistics are in use. Precise numbers when applied against a population are either made up or the results of statistical analyses. I’m curious as to the source of his … data. I guess would be a better word for it.

SassyWhiteGirl

Black people think of Asians as white. Pretty much anyone who isn’t part black or culturally black is considered white. If you would have grown up in an all black area you would have a different perspective. Racism is frustrating, no matter what color you are. I think yellow isn’t mentioned because white people aren’t threatened by you. They have been historically, just not present day.

God

Asians are aliens and do not matter in the struggles of my children.

JD

Yuri,
As you can see from the comments below, many people presume a lot about people of non-white origin, when it comes to conversations about diversity. You pointed out a logical inconsistency in the treatment of minorities, and all of the sudden the venomous worms wriggle out from their putrid holes to start attacking you and/or their favorite targets.

I’m white and have stared in bewilderment at job and loan applications wondering “Why not Asians too?” It’s terribly inconsistent.

However, amid the racist comments, a couple of viewpoints were proffered that may shed light on the subject.

1. There is a popular misperception is that Asians aren’t discriminated against in our society.

2. Regardless if discrimination occurs in an area under question the average earnings are often believed to be at least as great as a white persons earnings.

The first perception is dead wrong. I learned this in the 2nd grade. I had a recess-time friend. He and his family were recent South-East Asian immigrants (forgive me for not recalling if it was Vietnam or Laos, it was as a direct result of that conflict, however). He was ridiculed so badly for his name, accent, and race so that his family chose to move so that he would have a better environment to grow up in.

The second one is racist by assuming that because by virtue of ones race they will have fewer, or no, problems with discrimination during the process of seeking employment (and all the prerequisites for it). This is untrue. I’ve heard many vile anti-Asian sayings by people in position to hire others. To think such vitriol won’t enter their head when deciding who to hire is foolishness. This in turn can seriously damage a persons earning potential, particularly in a small town filled with racism (not all are, but many are).

But, I think that you have contributed to the conversation by the virtue of pointing out what you find frustrating and inconsistent in the system as it stands today.

So don’t feel powerless or left out. If you speak about what’s important to you and listen with an open ear and mind, you’ll continue to contribute greatly.

White Light

And yet Asians still make more than Whites. Why?

Whenever anti-White hatred is pointed out to liberals, they assure us that because of our higher incomes, we can’t be hurt by it.

timfromla

Asian Americans make more than whites according to the census, yet with the 1 percent increase over the white, why then are Asian and Asian Americans still under-represented? More than 90 percent of all corporate CEO are white, who make more than 40 percent of the lower half of the income spectrum. There are more white billionaires than Asian in the U.S. and guess who have the bigger political pull?

So yes, Asian may make more than white, but it isn’t the income at the working level that affects the political sphere of this nation, but the political representation rich white billionaires who dictate our future, like:

The top 10 billionaires and none of them are Asian, blacks, Hispanic or Native American. As for Asian American, there is a billionaire:

145 Patrick Soon-Shiong $8 B.

He’s in the pharmaceuticals business. So to say that Asian Americans make more is correct, but who has the biggest political influence as well as more money to lobby Congress? Patrick? Nope.

White Light

Asians are younger than Whites. Duh. And how many of those billionaire are Jewish? Whites gentiles are underrepresented in terms of billionaires. And half of democrat party contributions come from Jews.

I’m Mexican so my ethnicity is the problem but I feel left out too. I do notice that Asians are excluded even more though and it’s frustrating not to be a part of a conversation that concerns you too or to be included as a secondary thought.

White Light

Non-White people complaining about being treated like Whites. I’m sure this has something to do with White privilege.

White Light

I often feel that I am neither white nor black enough to contribute significantly to a diversity conversation, most of which seems to be about reconciliation and healing from the slavery.

Just be thankful your people aren’t over represented in prisons or blamed for the problems of other races. There is nothing fun about this conversation.

While growing up in Japan, I learned that we were yellow. I don’t understand why there is no yellow mentioned in this country even though there are histories of East Asian immigrants in the U.S.

Calling someone “Yellow” or “the Yellow race” would be considered offensive in America.

Also, it is frustrating that being an Asian does not seem to count as “minority” when it comes to higher education and jobs even though we are racial minority.

Because your people have higher incomes and more education than White people. If I went to Japan should I get a job I don’t deserve just because I am White? That would be absurd. Luckily for everyone most Asians are more level headed than you.

On another topic, while I would like my racial identity to be acknowledged and embraced, I would not like to be boxed into stereotypes. “I’m Japanese and I’m not Japanese”

Not really clear what you are saying. Under the rules of contemporary political correctness, your people can organize and celebrate racial pride, colleges can have an Asian student club and you can even complain about White men taking your women.

Mr. Hanky

I learned when applying for certain jobs, especially those that advertised as EEO employers, that whites and Asians are at the bottom. That also applies for entry into some universities. When I asked why this was allowed, I was told that whites and Asians are too successful and don’t need to be given special privilege.
So just take it as a compliment. You are not of a ethnicity that is too dumb or uninspired that you have to be given a job for which you aren’t the most qualified. You are simply penalized for being of an intelligent, motivated ethnicity according to the government.
If everyone is equal, applicants would not be categorized. The only thing that should count is qualifications, not ethnicity.

jp7412

how the hell are Asians a minority!? They make up OVER FIFTY Percent of the entire world’s population!

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